DATING VIOLENCE

Let Our Florida Sexual Assault Attorneys Defend Your Rights

Part of Florida law regarding sexual assault includes violence against a date. Charges of assault, battery, and culpable negligence against another person include violence, sexual violence, or dating violence. Violence, according to Florida Statute 784.046, includes assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in a physical injury or death. Violence against a date means any of the above committed against an individual with whom you have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.

Defining “Dating”

According to Florida law, the following factors must be met to be accused of dating violence:

You must have been dating the person for at least the past 6 months

The nature of the relationship must be characterized by the expectation of affection and/or sexual involvement between the parties

You must have interacted with the person in the relationship on a continuous basis and frequency during the course of the relationship.

If you were only in a casual acquaintanceship, you can’t be convicted specifically of dating violence against the alleged victim, though you may still be accused of assault or battery.

Injunctions Against Dating Violence

The alleged victim who has accused you of dating violence can seek an injunction for protection against dating violence. They will typically file it with the clerk of the circuit court, who will provide them with forms and instructions for filing the petition. If an injunction is filed against you, you must not violate the order. The following actions could be considered a violation:

Refusing to vacate the home you share with the alleged victim

Being within 500 feet of the petitioner’s home, work, school, or specified place frequented by the petitioner

Committing an action of repeat dating violence against the petitioner

Commits any other violation of the injunction through unlawful threat, word, or act to do violence

Contacts the petitioner directly or indirectly, unless the order allows indirect contact through a 3rd party

Comes within 100 feet of the petitioner’s vehicle

Damages or destroys the petitioner’s personal property

Refuses to give up firearms or ammunition if ordered to do so by the court

Violating the injunction could lead to a conviction of a 1st-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 1 year in prison and/ or a fine of up to $1,000. It could also turn into a 3rd-degree felony if you violate it 3 or more times against the same victim.

Talk to a Skilled Lawyer Today

Conviction of dating violence can lead to some of the same consequences as a conviction of sexual assault. In fact, a prosecutor may try and charge you on two separate counts for the same crime. If you are accused of dating violence, make sure you have an experienced Florida sex crimes lawyer on your side. Musca Law has more than 150 years of combined legal experience to offer your case. Our attorneys believe everyone should have access to excellent legal representation in a criminal case. We are known for our aggressive advocacy and for finding and exploiting holes in the prosecution’s case. Let us see what we can do to defend your rights and freedom.

Contact us at (800) 687-2252 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.